Worried About Birth Control

[Guest Neuro]

It's not my choice to have vile painful aching fever-ridden blood-draining periods, but I do. Every month. And every month it gets woooorse and wooorrrsssee. It's coming. I can tell. *insert theme from Jaws*

I don't get emotional things or cravings for food, but I do get really anemic and sick from it for at least a week. I don't even want children! FFFF to me, it's a gross nuisance I wish I could just chop out like the way you make blowfish sushi. (GRUESOME)

I recently told my mother about it (grudgingly) and I was on a pain medication for a while. Unfortunately, though it got rid of the pain in the uterus/whatever that part I don't want is called; the side effects were a SPLITTING headache and a stomachache so lousy I couldn't even eat my favorite food, cheeseburgers ;A; (or, anything)

So last resort: BIRTH CONTROL.

Yay factor would be, some birth control gets rid of periods in all good; and zaps pain and also, NO BABIES like I want any/am doing anything that would involve me having one.

BUT

I have heard things about birth control, that have the OPPOSITE effect of testosterone. Is it true?

I heard of trans people in India taking birth control to become more feminine. I have heard it makes your breasts larger/more tender.

DO NOT WANT

Not only do I have to have a humiliating 'pelvic exam' soon; but I might be on a medication that might make me MORE girly??

PLEASE PEOPLE!! D8 I am really stupid and misinformed. Does anyone know the truth about birth control?? Is there an effective alternative? Or how can I convince my mother to just let them cut out those useless organs?? XD I DON'T WANT ANY EGGS FERTILIZED OR NOT FFFFFF OH KAMI

It's times like this that I really realize how far away from being a man I am. I can't be in the national guard or be doing... I dunno, boot camp in the woods and crying about how I am paralyzed from the waist down 'cause my crotch is bleeding OTL <--despair

Does anyone else have this problem...?

P.S: Sorry I sound weird today I'm getting over a cold and practicing my part of a song to present in Japanese class. I finally have my male singing voice!!!!! ASHJI;LKJHGFDFGHJKJHG HAPPY FOR THAT I AM BEING FFFFFFFFFF but man I'm tired I think I need a nap or at least some french fries... b-but I have no money for fast food ;A;

P.P.S: This is no offense to people who want periods. I just don't like them, for reasons already ranted over above. I'd give you mine if I could!!!!! *sobs into Harry Potter crest pillow that I sit on a lot*

[Guest Eth]

Yep. Birth control would probably help to feminize you moreso.

Some sites suggest MtF transsexuals use female birth control to help feminize their bodies. Lots of them, of course, but yeah. Birth control is basically a dose of female hormones.

Sorry >_<

[Sally]

If at all possible could you talk to your doctor and ask about a non-feminizing alternative to the standard pill?

It would seem that there must be an alternative way somewhere between overdosing female hormones and complete removal.

When you go for that wonderful exam - ask.

By the way when you speak of trading, I'd take the pelvic exam over the male counterpart - the prostate exam - no one gets out with a free pass!

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest joe0117]

Hi Michael,

First off, you are not stupid. I am sure someone will have better information but here is what I can offer:

Depending on the type of birth control, it can stop your period or make it lighter. It is supposed to help with cramping and make it more tolerable. It increases the amount of estrogen in your body, almost in a way to mimick pregnancy, so that the body is tricked into not ovulating. It can cause tenderness in the chesticles or growth. It can cause blood cots so it is especially important not to smoke. If you have really bad pain, you may need an exam and very unpleasant ultrasound. You could have endrometriosis or any other medical complication. If that is the case though, it could be grounds to have a complete hysterectomy and have it covered by insurance. I finally got my surgery date for my hysto and it will be covered by insurance If you are on testosterone then they don't have to worry about bone density decreasing because T is good for bones. Hope this helps

Joe

[Guest Neuro]

I'll be sure to ask the doctor about an alternative--I am not sure what our insurance will cover for a hysterectomy; but I doubt my mom would allow me one!! She wants me to give her 10 grandchildren @_@

I'm not on T yet, but I don't smoke. Ugh, I am almost wishing there IS something wrong where it'll all have to be taken out, the last thing I want is a pill that makes me look more feminine! I'm really worried about the 'exam' exam; it sounds unpleasant. I don't want someone touching me there like that, I hate even thinking about those kinds of parts >______<

I'm worried I'll start flipping out like I did when getting my flu shot (I hid on the table and screamed and threatened to sue because I was 18 and couldn't legally be forced to have one). I'm such a flippin' baby when it comes to people touching me, it's gonna be even worse considering it's that kind of girl-type exam.

I admit I'd rather have a prostate exam, Sally DX I just hate that 'part' of my body, someone else examining it is like, further proof that I'm really not the guy I want to be.

[Guest 1charlotte1]

I'll be sure to ask the doctor about an alternative--I am not sure what our insurance will cover for a hysterectomy; but I doubt my mom would allow me one!! She wants me to give her 10 grandchildren @_@

I'm not on T yet, but I don't smoke. Ugh, I am almost wishing there IS something wrong where it'll all have to be taken out, the last thing I want is a pill that makes me look more feminine! I'm really worried about the 'exam' exam; it sounds unpleasant. I don't want someone touching me there like that, I hate even thinking about those kinds of parts >______<

I'm worried I'll start flipping out like I did when getting my flu shot (I hid on the table and screamed and threatened to sue because I was 18 and couldn't legally be forced to have one). I'm such a flippin' baby when it comes to people touching me, it's gonna be even worse considering it's that kind of girl-type exam.

I admit I'd rather have a prostate exam, Sally DX I just hate that 'part' of my body, someone else examining it is like, further proof that I'm really not the guy I want to be.

I know what u mean. I hate physicals cause it feels like they're rubbing the fact my bodies male in my face! And the cold hands *shudder* but it's a part of life we all gotta deal with

Sincerely sorry, Charlotte

[Guest Evan_J]

Everyone's covered all of the "sad" facts. The only thing I can say is there are some pills that supposingly only contain progeston -gender neutral. Other than that, the production blocker that won't give you more fem traits is Lupron and its reeeally expensive and typically only covered if you have a girl problem aggravated by the estrogen or are male and have a type of prostate cancer.

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

Awwww....man... That's tough. I don't get periods anymore, but there's no escape from the dreaded pelvic exam. The "good" part is that they take like less than 2 minutes (I timed mine with a stopwatch).

Birth control pills do have the reputation for doing all the things that you said. However, you can be on a really low dose. The newer pills have very low levels of hormones, so I imagine that the effects will also be diminished. Also, all side effects of birth control pills don't happen to all people. A lot of times maybe only 3% of people in the clinical trials will have a given side effect. So, out of 1000 people, only 30 would have the side effect. A lot of time the rate is way lower than 3%. I'll have to see if I can look up the clinical trial data online.

Dude, my mom used to talk about how she wanted grandchildren all the time. It caused a lot of big fights. I'd flip out when they'd say stuff like "You'll change your mind when you're older". I mean REALLY flip out and yell. I guess my adolescent self thought that the extra volume would convey the intensity of my feeling. Eventually I got through to her and she quit. I think the quiet, "That's not how I see myself, Mom." probably made more impression than my yelling. Anyway, the talk about wanting me to procreate always stressed me way out.

[Guest Neuro]

Mmmmm I agree, "You'll change your mind when you're older--" ha! Just because my mom wanted children all her life XD I know where you're coming from.

Now that I have some facts (thank you all btw) I'll be sure to ask the doctor about it. Maybe if my mom is not in the room, I can tell him why; too.

[Guest Jackson]

The BC pills that are out now are real low doses compared to the original BC pills that came out in the sixties. Even if you were to start on them at the beginning of puberty, I do not believe they will cause a girl/woman to appear or look more feminine.

Depending on your age and your medical situation, it really is a hard thing to call whether or not a physician would want to perform a hysto. Physicians usually try to do anything before having to take out all the organs especially if you are young. However, in some cases, it may be the only option. It's really a decision made case by case.

It's really hard to say. Also the problem is that it is all based on a physician's decision which is also variable due to schooling and experience and such.

Just be sure that before you make any kind of decision, you have all the facts. I had a blood clot in my brain ten or eleven years ago after a few years on the pill. Just because I had unfavorable genetics too. Unknown to me at the time, my birth mother has a blood clotting problem and gets DVT's all the time.

[Guest Leigh]

don't do it.

i was on the pill for about a year, and i definitely gained weight, my tumors got bigger, and when i started taking it my hormones got really crazy and i was an emotional wreck.

it helps with pain, etc (which i get pretty badly to, so, i feel you there brother) but everything else is worse.

i hate to say it, but estrogen really does make you more emotional, etc.. and i'm not an emotional person. angry sometimes, down sometimes, but when i was on that stuff i could be totally irrational.

really, it's not worth it.

peace&love

Leigh

[Guest Neuro]

You have a point, Leigh. A longterm of more estrogen isn't worth one week of pain-free-ness... --At least, the way I see it.

The only thing that helps with that blargh pain otherwise, is my mothers headache pills--but I feel bad taking them, because she has chronic migraines every day--and using them up makes me saddified when she's in pain and I'm sitting there with a pad or whatever :\ (I think it's an expensive medication)

The exam can't be avoided (I've never had one and I'm an adult-ish) but--estrogen and I do not mix!!! @A@ I like being fairly void of crying and not too large in the bosom department. The only person I knew who took it was 15, and it screwed up their emotions and made her really weepy and stuff. Not saying BC is a bad thing altogether, but--The more I research it; the less I am fond of it XD;

[Guest leo]

neuro im afraid to say the birth control is a female hormone so will increase you feminazation

look at my post on how much iv changed since iv been off it!

[Guest MrAwesome]

Mmmmm I agree, "You'll change your mind when you're older--" ha! Just because my mom wanted children all her life XD I know where you're coming from.

Now that I have some facts (thank you all btw) I'll be sure to ask the doctor about it. Maybe if my mom is not in the room, I can tell him why; too.

Well, Simply tell her to wait outside. -.- I'm 15 and I do that!

[Guest MrAwesome]

btw DeproProvera I think it's called can stop your periods. It's a shot of progestron that lasts 3 months. The doc said it's a possibility that you'll bleed the entire time your on it, like spotting, possible you'll have your periods like you normally do, or stop having them. but the longer your on it it will stop periods all together most likely. I think if you're going to have to wait a while, it's best to just try it.

I Think considering how bad it gets for you, it's best to get an exam, there might just be something going on down there... and that could lead to getting rid of those organs...

[Guest Seth]

I was taking birth control for my period too (which are very random and unpredictable [they can be short and heavy, long and nothing, etc.]) so I wouldn't have periods at all. I had no pain, and really no trouble dealing with it. Just wanted it gone.

But, I pretty much threw it in a fire when I started thinking 'huh, I'm on birth control...I wanna start T...I get on both...I'LL FRICKIN' EXPLODE!'

So, that was the end of that.

[Guest _Michael]

Ugh man I feel for you. I've been dreading that freaking exam for so long that I am 20 and still have not had one. It shouldn't be too hard to tell your mom you want to do it alone (I can't imagine any mother trying to insist staying in the room for one of those exams), and you should definitely bring your transidentity up to your doctor BEFORE dropping the pants to gauge their attitude - and if he/she has a problem with it, then run out the room and reschedule with someone else and just tell your mom that you did not feel comfortable with the doctor. Some doctors will go out of their way with their transclients to try to get their surgeries covered under insurance, and if you've got severe endometriosis or cysts or something, then you could ask the doctor to explain that to your mom as a reason why the Histo is recommended. Histos are expensive and getting it under insurance would be a godsend.

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

Ugh man I feel for you. I've been dreading that freaking exam for so long that I am 20 and still have not had one.

I was 30 before I had one. It's something you just have to do. I'm telling y'all....under 2 minutes. Get yo junk checked!

...can't have T without an exam, so that's what did it for me. I have to get one once a year to keep my precious T, so I'm most definitely on board with that.

[Guest _Michael]

I was 30 before I had one. It's something you just have to do. I'm telling y'all....under 2 minutes. Get yo junk checked!

...can't have T without an exam, so that's what did it for me. I have to get one once a year to keep my precious T, so I'm most definitely on board with that.

Yeah, I'm getting one this summer so I can start T in the fall. Is there a directory perchance of Transfriendly gynecologists?

[Guest My_Genesis]

I was taking birth control for my period too (which are very random and unpredictable [they can be short and heavy, long and nothing, etc.]) so I wouldn't have periods at all. I had no pain, and really no trouble dealing with it. Just wanted it gone.

that's how i am, i don't know whether it's any better that way - like semi-amenhorheic - lol i don't tell anyone because im afraid it'll end up in a doctor's office and what that would involve....

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

Yeah, I'm getting one this summer so I can start T in the fall. Is there a directory perchance of Transfriendly gynecologists?

I go to a clinic in Atlanta. As far as I can tell, the best way to find a gyno is to talk to other guys in your area and see who they go to.

[Guest Tabe]

There IS a progesin-only birth control pill. My endo had me taking it along with tamoxifen for a while when starting T to make the periods stop sooner.

Progesterone (the natural form of progestins) is a really interesting hormone. It works in combination with estrogen to adjust cycling, etc. The thing is, progesterone by itself does pretty much nothing. *however*, it blocks estrogen. It's almost like it's progesterone's calling in life. Killing estrogen. Okay, not really, just blocking the estrogen receptors. Same difference.

For your information, tamoxifen is a SERM, or Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator. That's just a fancy way of saying that it blocks estrogen (well, for our purposes, anyway). It's generally prescribed to breast cancer patients because it blocks the estrogen that stimulates tumor growth. This probably won't be surprising to you, but you won't be able to get a hold of that.

However, you could get the BC. Looking at past prescriptions, it says that I had "Camila" tablets. I remember the doctors using a different name, something that began with "m", but I can't remember what that was for the life of me. I don't know if a progestin-only pill will work with the pain, considering I never had those problems, but it's worth a shot to try anyway. Hope this helps.

[Guest B.heard]

You guys have some crazy doctors!

When I was younger I only had 4/5 periods a year sometimes even less I was personally happy with this arrangement with my body but the doctor did ask me about it and in the end sent me to a gyno doctor for a hormone check.

1. you dont need you junk out to get a hormone check so there was none of that.

2. gyno doc's seem overly happy to give you BC for anything.

They spent ages telling me how much better my life would be on those dang BC pills I didnt take them and I was a fine healthy individual though with a low hormone count which again was fine by me Im also now on T and I have never had a junk exam in my life and the only one ill be getting is the one they do before the hysto.

If you take part in hetro boy girl parts love contact.. If your on BC pills ... If you want to use your junk to have babys one day get your stuff checked as those all bring your risks up higher, since I check No to all of those boxes my risk is so low in the UK im not even required to have them.

[Guest Jackson]

However, you could get the BC. Looking at past prescriptions, it says that I had "Camila" tablets. I remember the doctors using a different name, something that began with "m", but I can't remember what that was for the life of me. I don't know if a progestin-only pill will work with the pain, considering I never had those problems, but it's worth a shot to try anyway. Hope this helps.

I cannot believe I had to look this up, but then again, I've been out of retail work for five years now. The brand name of the progestin-only pill is Micronor. Camila is one of the "branded generic" names for it.